Tubular socket wrench for engaging and rotating threaded members

ABSTRACT

A tubular wrench of predetermined length having an integral formation at one or both ends thereof formed to spring hold a predetermined head of a threaded nut of predetermined size and manually positioning and rotating same off or on a mating threaded member.

United States Patent 11 1 Schera, Jr. 1 Sept. 24, 1974 [5 TUBULAR SOCKET WRENCH FOR 2,566,673 9/1951 Mygaard 81/125 x ENGAGING AND ROTATING THREADED 13/ sodlges 511/61;

, au MEMBERS 3,245,446 4/1966 Morifuji 81/125 [76] inventor: Enos L. Schera, Jr., 8254 SW. 37 3,768,345 10 1973 Barnes 81/90 B St., Miami, Fla. 33155 [22] Filed: Sept. 17, 1973 Primary ExaminerJames L. Jones, Jr. [21] Appl. No.: 397,893

[57] ABSTRACT [52] U.S. C1. 81/64, 81/90 B [51] Int. Cl B25b 13/52, B25b 13/00 A tubular wrench of pr d termined length having an [58] Field of Search 81/64, 52.4, 125, 90 B, integral formation at one or both ends thereof formed 81/90 C to spring hold a predetermined head of a threaded nut of predetermined size and manually positioning and [56] Referen Cit d rotating same off or on a mating threaded member.

UNITED STATES PATENTS Jansson 81/52.4

2 Claims, Drawing Figures TUBULAR SOCKET WRENCH FOR ENGAGING AND ROTATING THREADED MEMBERS This invention relates in general to socket wrenches and more particularly to a single or double end elongated tubular wrench adapted to spring hold a threaded nut of predetermined size for the manual placement and rotation of the nut on or off of a mating threaded member.

Well known socket wrenches have slide fit tolerances for the engagement of nuts therein and a nut from a relatively inaccessible place is difficult and time consuming to install or replace.

The present invention overcomes the above objections and disadvantages by the provision of a low cost socket wrench formed in one or both ends of high tensil tubing of predetermined dimensions with the end thereof including integral means formed to properly engage the outer side of the nut and having an integral spring means for frictionally retaining same against gravity and reasonable shock, which construction is a principal object of the invention.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a tubular wrench of predetermined dimension having one end thereof with a plurality of spaced projections of predetermined length for engaging mating recesses in the periphery of a conduit nut including a pair of opposite adjacent inward urged spring projections for properly frictionally holding the nut in the end of the wrench for threading on a threaded member.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a tubular double end wrench for retaining each of two types of nuts.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a tubular wrench of predetermined dimensions having one end provided with six inward inherent spring urged flattened blades or fingers for engaging and frictionally holding a mating size hex type nut, nipple or fitting.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a tubing of predetermined diameter, length and thickness of medium tensil material in which the'opposite ends thereof are formed to frictionally hold different threaded members, such as a square nut at one end and a hex nut at the opposite end or a conduit nut at one end and a hex nut at the opposite end.

These and other objects and advantages in one embodiment of the invention are described and shown in the following specification and drawing, in which:

FIG. I is a perspective view of the tubular wrench I with two typical types of nuts detached therefrom.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary cross section view of the hex end of the wrench shown in FIG. 1 with the corresponding nut frictionally engaged by the fingers of the wrench.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of the opposite end of thewrench shown in FIG. 1 with a multiple lug nut frictionally retained by spring fingers and positioned against short stop fingers.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a modification of the wrench showing a pair of holes through the body thereof for manual rotational assist by a rod.

Referring to FIG. 1, a'cylindrical tube 1 is adapted to temporarily frictionally hold a hexagonal threaded nippie 2 which has a hex end 3 and a threaded portion 4. The wrench is provided with six equi-spaced slots 5 forming six spring fingers 6 which have flattened end portions 7 with coplanar outer edges normal to the axis of the tube and the inner surface ofthe opposite flattened portions positioned slightly less than the diameter of opposite flats on thehex end 3. It is therefore apparent that the hex portion of the nipple 2 may be hand forced over the chamfered edges into the end portion 7 of the tube permitting the spring fingers 6 to be slightly sprung outward for temporarily frictionally holding the nipple 2 therein.

It is to be noted that when the curved cylindrical surface of each finger 6 is flatted, a small internal shoulder will result at the inner end thereof which provides a stop against which the outer surface of the hex nipple will rest, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

Referring to the opposite end of the tube 1, a multiple lug type circular nut 8, commonly called a conduit nut, is provided with six equi-spaced lugs 9 and six like recesses 10 having a coaxial inner thread 11.

The opposite end of the tube 1 is provided with twelve equi-spaced longitudinal slots 12 which form six stop fingers l3 and six spring fingers 14. Each of the fingers are formed in a small angle in an outward direction with the inner corner of the end of each spring finger chamfered whereby a lug nut may be hand forced against the inner side of each of the six spring fingers 14 with the side of the lugs 9 positioned against the slightly sprung ends of spring fingers 13 for frictionally holding the nut in coaxial position with the tube. It is to be noted that the fingers 14 must be forced outward a slight distance against spring action when the lug nut is inserted, which movement is aided by the chamfered corners of fingers 14.

FIG. 4 illustrates a pair of holes 15-15 positioned at to each other at a predetermined distance from each opposite end of the wrench for the insertion of a slidable rod or handle 16 for the application of greater torque than by hand gripping the tube when required.

FIG. 2 shows the nipple following placement through a hole in member 17 or into a fitting, not shown, prior to the removal of the wrench.

Referring to FIG. 3, the lug nut 8 is shown threaded on a fitting X through a member 17. The lug nut 8 is commonly provided with eight right hand teeth on one side thereof which serve the purpose of locking the nut when the teeth are secured against a surface.

It is apparent from the foregoing that the tube may have a nut configuration in one end only or a pair of different configurations at opposite ends, as shown. It is important to select a tubing and wall thickness of appropriate tensil strength for maintaining a desirable degree of flexibility for long life. In the case of abnormal high torque use, the steel tubing may be heat treated for improved hardness and torque resistance.

It is obvious that a wrench can be modified for nuts or bolts having simple square head or complex type depending upon the number and shape of fingers formed in the end of the tube.

Since the formation in the end of the tube when completed is adapted for a single type nut, it is obvious that greater spread or contraction of the fingers require a tube consistent with a corresponding different type nut, cap screw, bolt, or fitting, which requires difficult positioning and rotation when used, such as the embodiment shown in the drawing which refers to conduit nuts and nipples which are normally difficult to apply in a small conduit box.

It is to be noted in view of the above disclosure, that one end of a dual type tubular socket wrench could be formed with a rectangular cavity to fit the rectangular projection on lever or crank type socket wrenches.

It is also to be noted that an extension fitting may be connected to engage the inner or outer side of a square or hex end of the present tubular wrench that terminates in a fitting adaptable to present lever and crank type socket wrenches.

Other modifications in the construction are intended to come within the teachings and scope of the above specification Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A tubular socket wrench for an equilateral polygonal nut comprising a straight tube of predetermined material and length and diameter and wall thickness with the ends thereof normal to the axis of said tube and having a predetermined number of equi-spaced longitudinal narrow slots of predetermined length through one end portion of said tube forming a like number of fingers of substantially equal width and in equilateral polygonal formation coaxial with said tube and adapted for spring contact against the outer sides of said nut,

each of said fingers formed at a small predetermined divergent angle from said tube and flattened at an outer end portion thereof with the inner corners of the ends of said fingers chamfered whereby a nut having flat outer sides equal to the number of said fingers may be manually urged into frictional contact with the inner flat sides of said fingers coaxial with said axis and temporarily manually positioning said nut coaxial with a mating threaded member and rotating said nut on said member with said wrench.

2. The construction recited in claim 1 wherein said tube has six slots forming six said fingers in equilateral polygonal position and adapted to frictionally and coaxially engage the sides of a hex nut or a like size hex .nipple or fitting having a like size hex projection thereon. 

1. A tubular socket wrench for an equilateral polygonal nut comprising a straight tube of predetermined material and length and diameter and wall thickness with the ends thereof normal to the axis of said tube and having a predetermined number of equispaced longitudinal narrow slots of predetermined length through one end portion of said tube forming a like number of fingers of substantially equal width and in equilateral polygonal formation coaxial with said tube and adapted for spring contact against the outer sides of said nut, each of said fingers formed at a small predetermined divergent angle from said tube and flattened at an outer end portion thereof with the inner corners of the ends of said fingers chamfered whereby a nut having flat outer sides equal to the number of said fingers may be manually urged into frictional contact with the inner flat sides of said fingers coaxial with said axis and temporarily manually positioning said nut coaxial with a mating threaded member and rotating said nut on said member with said wrench.
 2. The construction recited in claim 1 wherein said tube has six slots forming six said fingers in equilateral polygonal position and adapted to frictionally and coaxially engage the sides of a hex nut or a like size hex nipple or fitting having a like size hex projection thereon. 